South Devon finds itself at the centre of a 'perfect storm' of roadworks today as a series of schemes gets under way. Traffic around Newton Abbot built up early in the day as the town found itself effectively cut off.

Councillors have criticised the timing of the roadworks , but Devon County council say the date for the work in Newton Abbot has been chosen as a quiet time of year, and after consulting local people and businesses.

Wolborough Street in Newton Abbot will be shut completely this week and at the same time there will be daytime lane closures and overnight closures on the A380 at Telegraph Hill, lane closures on the A380 around Kingsteignton, while the A383 Ashburton Road in Newton Abbot will be closed overnight.

Traffic builds up on Coach Road at Newton Abbot (Image: Nikki Belso)

There are also a number of roadworks under way in Torbay.

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1. Wolborough Street will be closed 24 hours a day from Monday, February 12, to Saturday, February 17, for the work will take place between Wolborough Street traffic lights (Asda) and the Ogwell Cross roundabout.

(Image: Andy Styles)

2. The A383 Ashburton Road will be closed between its junctions with Elmwood Avenue and Barton Drive from 6:30pm to midnight between Monday, February 5, and Friday, February 16 while preparatory work is carried out in advance of path improvements.

3. Work at Ware Barton, around Kingsteignton, on the A380, where are the daytime lane closures and 40mph speed restrictions in place throughout the duration of this work to ensure the safety of site staff and the travelling public during the latest phase of the programme of repairs on the A380. There will also be a 40mph speed restriction on the northbound carriageway for safety when the bridge deck works are taking place in the outside lane (lane two).

(Image: Andy Styles)

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4. From Monday, February 12, there will be daytime lane closures with a 50mph speed restriction in place, and full closures overnight from 7pm to 6am on Monday to Friday evenings at Telegraph Hill. This will enable drain cleaning and vegetation clearance to be carried out, which is expected to take about four weeks to complete.

Road closed at Wolborough Street (Image: Andy Styles)

Traffic was heavy in the Coach Road area this morning as drivers tried to make their way around the diversion routes, and a crash was reported in the lanes near Ogwell.

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Meanwhile, in Paignton, there are extensive roadworks on the ring road near the Roselands estate where road widening is taking place between Claylands Cross and Yannons Farm.

Fleet Street in the town centre remains closed for long-term rebuilding of the carriageway and street furniture and Preston Down Road at Paignton remains closed between Duchy Drive and Sandringham Gardens.

Traffic signal improvements are under way at Riviera Way on the outskirts of Torquay, causing a lane closure and long traffic tailbacks.